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ClareR (6037 KP) rated The Confessions of Frannie Langton in Books

May 3, 2019 (Updated May 3, 2019)

The Confessions of Frannie Langton

Sara Collins | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Mystery

9.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Frannie has grown up on a Jamaican sugar plantation as a house girl. She is a mulatto slave, and when her master, Mr Langton, is forced to return to England, she accompanies him. Although she is considered free as soon as she enters England in the 1820s, Mr Langton ‘gives’ her to a colleague and friend, Mr Benham. She becomes Mrs Benham’s abigail (companion), friend and lover. However, we first meet Frannie as she sits in Newgate prison, writing the story of her life for her solicitor, and how she came to murder Mr and Mrs Benham. Something that she can’t at all remember doing. She has a lot going against her: she’s working class, a woman, and most importantly, she’s black.
This was a captivating story. I learnt a lot about how black Jamaicans were regarded by Londoners (it’s not good), how laudanum was the ‘mother’s little helper’ of its time (although I think it was pretty much taken by anyone, male or female, who could afford it), and how black people were regarded as little more than animals.
The whodunnit element was really puzzling for me, I honestly couldn’t figure it out. I couldn’t think of Frannie as being a murderer and killing the woman she loved.
This is a really good read, and I would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

Kudos

ArecRain (8 KP) rated One of the Guys in Books

Jan 18, 2018

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didnt realize I had read Shiloh Walker before until I realized her name sounded familiar and did some research. Awhile back I read her story The Missing which is the first in her FBI Psychics series. I dont remember much of that story and I didnt write a review for it back then. I must have liked it though, since I rated it 4 stars.

It seems to be a theme since I enjoyed this story as well. I am also partial to friend-to-lovers stories. And boy are they steamy lovers. I have read multiple reviews that accuse of Walker of writing the same sex scenes over and over and that her writing lacks variety. I have only read one other of her novels and that was a while ago, so I cant agree nor can I have the same complaint.

While I can say that nothing erotic shocks me, certain things just arent my tastes, i.e. anal play/sex, especially when the guy is an inconsiderate jerk about it. As someone who has a very considerate lover, but has been sexually abused before, it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I almost couldnt finish the book. If you can get past that though, then this would be good read for you.

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Girl's Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones #1) in Books

Nov 18, 2019

I loved it

Contains spoilers, click to show

All Joy Randall wants is a little old-fashioned romance, but when she participates in a "Goddess evoking" ceremony with her friend, Roxy, Joy finds out her future true love is a man with the potential to put her immortal soul in danger. At first the ever-practical Joy is ready to dismiss her vision as a product of too much gin and too many vampire romances, but while traveling through the Czech Republic with Roxy, Joy begins to have some second thoughts about her mystery lover because she is suddenly plagued by visions of a lethally handsome stranger. Then, when she and Roxy attend a local GothFaire, Joy meets Raphael Griffin St. John, head of security, and she becomes even more bewildered because the dark and dangerous Raphael seems too close to her dreams for comfort.

Oh I absolutely loved this book!! It was funny and witty full of well written steamy scenes! Kept you guessing whether Joy was going crazy or vampires truly existed! Also very refreshing to find the vamp wasn't actually the love of her life she took another route! Who by the way was totally hot!! Joy's friendship with Roxy is just perfect and a lot like most friendships. I really want to take a trip to find me a Dark one!
I love Katie Macalister's writing style it's always on the edge!

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